Pakistan successfully test-fires Hatf-VII cruise missile

Tuesday March 21, 2006 (1501 PST)

Pakistan successfully test-fires Hatf-VII cruise missile Email Most Popular Print Add to Favorite Related Links Pakistan test fires nuclear capable missile Pakistan test-fires long-range missile No compromise to be made on national defense: PM Pak nuke, missile installation can withstand any nuclear attack: President Pak committed to WMD non-proliferation: Kasuri More Related News >>  Pictorial ,  No of Pictures: 13  Cartoons , No of Cartoons: 1  Opinion Poll Open • Created on November, 28 2002 • Closed on May, 05 2004 • Question: "Do you think Pakistan has ever provided any assistance to N-Korea to develop its nuclear program?" This poll has been closed, view the result of this poll. Show Result

ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Online): Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test-fired a cruise missile that can carry a nuclear warhead and hit targets within a 310-mile range, the army said.

Pakistan first tested the Babur, or Hatf VII, cruise missile in August last year.

According to details, all phases of the planned trajectory were extremely successful and the missile impacted with pinpoint accuracy.

It may be recalled that the Babur cruise missile, which has been indigenously developed, was tested for the first time in August 2005.

Babur cruise missile, which was tested in the ground launched version, will also be capable of placed in submarines and on surface ships.

The Babur, which has near stealth capabilities, is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, accuracy, and radar avoidance features with a range of 500 kms. It can carry all types of warheads.

Meanwhile President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf, who witnessed the test fire, said that the nation was proud of its scientists and engineers, who had once again demonstrated their ability to master rare technologies with ease and professionalism.

He said that his government would continue to provide all support to their endeavors in fortifying national defense.

"The strategic programme, which had come to symbolize the nation’s resolve for its security, will continue to go from strength to strength with credible minimum deterrence as the cornerstone", Musharraf added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz congratulated the Pakistani scientists, engineers and technicians on the successful test firing of Hatf VII (Babur) cruise missile.

The Prime Minister said that the nation is proud of their achievement and values their efforts in making the country’s defense even more impregnable. Pakistan, he said, is a peaceful country, which does not harbor aggressive designs against any country.

It is keen to ensure a minimum credible deterrence in order to ensure peace in the region, the Prime Minister added.

End.